PM Kobakhidze: “De facto sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili were already in place, nothing changed”

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the recent US decision to impose financial sanctions on ruling Georgian Dream party founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, claiming that de facto sanctions had already been in effect against him for years.

“De facto sanctions against Mr. Ivanishvili were already in place, stemming from one simple reason: he did not compromise this country’s national interests,” Kobakhidze told journalists.

He described the US Treasury’s move as a continuation of pressure Ivanishvili has faced over the past three years, emphasizing that today’s decision changes little in practice. “Mr. Ivanishvili has been under informal sanctions for years and has faced blackmail with the threat of formal sanctions. Now, even that tool of blackmail has been removed from their hands,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister asserted that Ivanishvili has been targeted because of his steadfast commitment to Georgia’s national interests, particularly during pivotal moments in 2022. “Certain global forces—what I call the global war party—sought to pressure him and our team to take steps against Georgia’s core interests. When he refused, they initiated de facto sanctions, which have now been formalized. However, this decision holds no substantive significance—it is, in fact, a badge of honor for defending Georgia’s sovereignty.”

Kobakhidze expressed confidence in Ivanishvili’s continued resolve, revealing that he recently spoke with him. “Nothing has fundamentally changed. For three years, Bidzina Ivanishvili has been under pressure for standing by this country’s interests, and now they have formalized it. This is not a punishment—it is recognition of his service to Georgia.”

The US Treasury’s December 27 decision freezes all of Ivanishvili’s assets under US jurisdiction for undermining Georgian democraty and prohibits American individuals and companies from engaging in financial transactions with him.